Norwich man charged with March 9 armed robbery at Mohegan Sun Hotel

Izaskun E. Larrañeta

Norwich - State police arrested a Norwich man Saturday who they say attempted an armed robbery of a man March 9 on the 19th floor of the Mohegan Sun hotel.

Paul E. Harris, 25, of 35 John St., was charged with attempted first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, criminal use of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, attempted sixth-degree larceny and threatening.

Police said the alleged victim told police that he was assaulted by a man, later identified as Harris, after the two exited the elevator on the 19th floor around 6 a.m. March 9. The alleged victim reported he was struck from behind on the head as he walked toward his hotel room. He said he was struck again on the head and in the face by the handle of a dark colored semi-automatic handgun that the suspect displayed.

The man added that Harris allegedly demanded the money and then proceeded to hit him with the weapon in the head and face and then fled back into the elevator. Police said the victim received minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

The victim said Harris entered the hotel elevator along with him in the hotel lobby.

Troopers allege that after the assault/robbery Harris exited the elevator in the lobby of the hotel and ran on foot from the casino. A state police K-9 team tracked the suspect from the hotel but the track ended along the Thames River near Shipping Street in Norwich, north of the casino.

Police on Saturday received a tip that Harris was in Norwich. He was subsequently arrested and was held on bond, pending his arraignment today in Norwich Superior Court.